Sanctitatis Nova Signa [Sanctity’s New Signs]
(Attributed to Thomas of Celano)

1. Sanctity’s novel emblems came,
   Signs that were worthy of acclaim,
   Awesome, and yet with warmth aflame,
   To Francis’s hands entrusted.
2. A new flock to be led and ruled,
   With a new set of laws imbued;
   Thus were the King’s commands renewed,
   By Francis’s hands transmitted.
3. An order new, a life-form new
   Appeared on earth out of the blue;
   Its sanctioned rule was to renew
   The pattern the gospels teach.
4. In the image of Christ’s decree,
   Law is remodeled perfectly;
   The purpose of the rule must be
   The apostolic peak to reach.
5. With simple cord his austere wear
   He bound, to vesture gave no care;
   Bread he carried in measure spare,
   And barefooted, shoes he spurned.
6. As poverty alone he sought,
   To earthly goods he gave no thought;
   Underfoot all these Francis trod,
   And a purse for money scorned.
7. Places he sought in which to weep
   And voice a heartfelt sorrow deep,
   Lament upon sad lament heap
   For those worldly years of waste.
8. Caved in seclusion on the Mount,
   He wailed and prayed upon the ground;
   And when serenity he found
   In those confines hid encased.
9. In that place with rock for shade,
   Absorbed in godly things he stayed;
   To slight things here wise judgment made
   And espoused the world above.
10. He curbed his flesh and made it tame
    Until transfigured it became;
    The food he took, from Scripture came,
    Food of earth away he drove.

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